Triplets of Womanhood: Three Marys

 

Just as God portrays His Triune nature in patterns of three throughout His Word, His nature, and His creation, it is not surprising that there are three women named Mary in close association to Christ in His earthly ministry. These are Mary, mother of Jesus (Luke 1-2), Mary Magdalene, Jesus’s disciple from the time He cast out seven demons from her (Mark 16:19), and His close friend Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:2). These women were bound to Jesus by love as His family, follower, and friend.

There are also three additional women named Mary described in less detail in Scripture, but also worthy of mention. One of these is referred to as "the other Mary" (Matthew 27:61), also known as the mother of the disciples James and Joses (Matthew 27:55-61); and as the wife of Cleophas (John 19:25). The second is the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12); and sister to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), who opened her home to the disciples to meet for prayer (Acts 12:12). The third is Mary of Rome, whom Paul thanked for her "many labors" in support of his ministry to the Roman Christians (Romans 16:6).

These three women: the “other Mary,” the mother of John Mark, and Mary of Rome, are known for their association to Christianity by being relatives of the first missionaries and by their service to the early church. All six of these women have much to teach us about the Biblical ideal of womanhood.

“Mary” in the New Testament is the Greek equivalent of the Old Testament Hebrew names “Miriam,” given to the sister of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 15:20-21), and “Mara,” the name Naomi adopted to reflect her great sorrow in bereavement (Ruth 1:20). The name means bitterness, sorrow, or trouble, reflecting the pain, grief and tribulation each woman bore, though in differing circumstances. 

The root word of this name is the same as for the spice known as myrrh, a bitter, fragrant and costly herb. In symbolic terms, myrrh may represent the bitterness of childbirth, mandated by the curse of sin (Genesis 3:16); the joys of motherhood (Proverbs 23:22-25); and the priceless value of Biblical womanhood, exemplified by the Proverbs 31 woman.

Myrrh was one of the gifts presented to Jesus as a young child to symbolize that He came to die (Matthew 2:11); it was offered to Him on the cross (Mark 15:23); and it was used to anoint His body for burial (John 19:39-40). And yet it was also included in the holy anointing oil used in Old Testament worship (Exodus 30:23; Psalm 45:7-8); it purified women such as Queen Esther (Esther 2:12); and it perfumed the marriage bed. (Proverbs 7:17-18; Song of Solomon 1:13,3:6;4:14).

In keeping with Divine triplets in Scripture, there were three Marys present at the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25).  Mary, mother of Jesus, came to the cross by submission to God’s calling her to carry His Son (Luke 1:28-38).  Mary Magdalene came by Christ’s mercy as He freed her from demonic possession (Mark 16:19); and Mary of Cleophas came by her relationship with Christ’s followers, for she was the close relative of two disciples.

These three Marys present at the cross of Christ therefore represent the three-step process by which every born-again believer (John 3:3-8) comes to know Christ and places their faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6). First, we have some association with Christians who share the Gospel with us; then we ask Christ for His mercy to forgive us and spare us from eternal death that our sins deserve (Romans 3:23); and finally we submit to His perfect will for our life (James 4:7), all through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Praise God that He gave us victory (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) over sin, death and hell! Three Marys witnessed the evidence of His resurrection firsthand as they came to anoint His body at the tomb, only to find that He had risen! These three were Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10; John 20:1), Mary the mother of James (the “other Mary;” Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1), and the mother of Jesus, as one of the women that were with Mary Magdalene at the cross (Luke 24:10).

Each of these women has a unique story, yet with common themes that illustrate how we can lead lives pleasing to Lord Jesus Christ. Like the three Marys, may we turn from the bitterness of sin to the joy of salvation and the blessings of serving Him!

© 2015 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Stillness

 

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

Recently my husband and I were blessed to have a midweek escape for a few days at our favorite beach getaway. Even better, we felt as if we had the privacy of being castaways on our own deserted island, yet with all the comforts of home.

In the quiet fall season, after families on summer vacation leave the island, and before “snowbirds” come for the warm Florida weather, the beach is relatively quiet. But today it is empty, save for the two of us, a few nesting shore birds, a great blue heron surveying the coast, and a lone osprey circling overhead. The weather is perfect, sunny and warm but not humid, with an occasional refreshing ocean breeze. The sky is a soothing shade of robin's egg blue, with a few feathery clouds scattered artistically about.

But most astounding to me is the ocean, as smooth as glass, except for a few lacy ripples along the shoreline. The sun sparkles on the calm surface, silvery light streaking through the azure water in an intricate pattern.

The last time I remember it being this still was just over one year ago, on our last visit of the season before the devastation of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The island took a direct hit in both storms, but thankfully no one was harmed.

 Although it was a great blessing that the beachfront homes (on stilts) remained structurally sound, everything underneath washed away – decks, stairs, air conditioners, sheds, golf carts, electrical and plumbing lines all gone overnight, as well as the community pool house.

Initially there was no power or phone service and the roads were impassable. Checking on damage had to be done by drone images or by climbing a very tall ladder to enter the house. For six months after the storms, the homes were not habitable because there was no sewer.

Thankfully, however, most homes are now repaired and insurance has covered a large part of the expense. Yet today as I view the stillness of the ocean, I pray that this is not the calm before the storm, as this year’s hurricane season has six weeks remaining.

Just as I had experienced on the last visit before last year’s hurricanes, the stillness today is such a welcome respite from the busyness and turmoil of daily life. We need to come apart with God (Mark 6:31), away from the world’s distractions, temptations, and discord, just as Jesus did even during the busiest times of His ministry (Matthew 14:23). We need to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

Activity, even potentially beneficial activity such as serving in church or volunteer work for a good cause, is no substitute for spiritual growth. Such growth cannot occur without quiet time dedicated to knowing Jesus Christ better and to worshipping Him. We cannot forsake prayer, Bible study, and faithful attendance to corporate worship and to Christian fellowship without drifting away from God, no matter how sincere our motives in other aspects of Christian service (Hebrews 10:25).

We must be like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet and learning from His Word, and not like her sister Martha, too caught up in busyness and in serving to worship Him. We must choose quiet fellowship with Him, as did Mary, over being burdened and anxious about “Christian” activity (Luke 10:38-42).

The stillness we experience when alone with God may allow us to recover from intense spiritual warfare, or to prepare us for physical or emotional trials or spiritual battles to come. Both were the case with the prophet Elijah after God gave him a great victory against the false prophets of Baal. The one true God poured out fire on the soggy altar and brought torrential rain in the prolonged drought, then Elijah slew all of Baal’s prophets with a sword. Yet he was ready to give up and even asked God to take his life when the evil queen Jezebel threatened to kill him (1 Kings 18-19).

But God knew exactly what Elijah needed. He led him to a shady spot under a juniper tree to sleep. God then sent him an angel who told him to eat and drink, giving him a freshly baked cake and water. After a second night’s sleep, the angel again gave him food and water, which sustained him for a 40 day-and-night journey to Horeb, the mount of God. There God spoke to Elijah, not in the strong wind, earthquake or fire He first showed Elijah, but in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:4-12). God then gave Elijah clear instructions regarding His plan for him.

Often we find the stillness to be calming and restorative. Yet at other times, we may grow impatient, wrongly perceiving that God is ignoring us or delaying His response to our prayers.

As my husband and I stroll along the deserted beach, we realize that the still waters allow us a glimpse of life and activity teeming beneath the surface, which are usually invisible in the ocean waves. First we notice schools of tiny silver-green fish along the shore, darting this way and that. Then pairs or triplets of gray fish, about the length of my hand, playfully switching positions.

To our surprise and delight, the ocean is so calm that we spot an 18-inch fish, gray with yellow-tipped fins and black markings on the underside.  It swims steadily alongside us as we walk, occasionally darting at great speed through a swarm of smaller fish, causing them to scatter.  Soon we realize that our ocean friend is not alone, as similar fish appear nearby.

“All we’re missing now to complete this picture is a dolphin,” my husband said.

As if on cue, a large black fin and curved gray body of a graceful dolphin appeared, barely emerging from the water, diving below the surface, then reappearing some distance away!

It reminds me that God is always at work for our ultimate good and His glory, even when we don’t perceive His plan to work all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  We don't see the myriad species and the flurry of activity in the ocean when choppy waves distort the surface -- we need the stillness to see what lies beneath. Nor can we appreciate or understand God's plan for us if we are too distracted by the clamor of the world, our own desires, and even our own activity, whether or not such activity seems to be productive or done in His service.

Once we become God's children by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we can have faith that He will lead us beside the still waters and restore our soul (Psalm 23:2-3).

He may do this to allow us to recover from intense spiritual warfare or to prepare us for the next spiritual victory, for we know that the battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47), and that the victory is certain through His Son! (1 Corinthians 15:57).

May we thank God for the rare periods of stillness in our lives when we can most clearly hear His voice and perceive His perfect plan for us. May we deliberately seek out quiet time with Him, hear His still, small voice, and seek His face through prayer, studying His Word, and praising and worshipping Him alone and with fellow believers!

Copyright 2025 Laurie Collett

Triplets of Stillness: Mary of Bethany Listening at Christ’s Feet

Triplets in Scripture reflecting God as Trinity continue in the three Marys who were close to Christ in His earthly ministry; the three life events the Bible shows us of Mary of Bethany; and her family unit of three siblings, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1-5).

One of these three events takes place among three people in Martha’s home, where she as the hostess has invited Jesus to dinner, and Mary is there also (Luke 10: 38-42). Jesus has just told His disciples the parable of the Good Samaritan about being a true neighbor, motivated by love like the Samaritan, instead of by religious service, like the priest, or self-righteousness, like the Levite (Luke 10:29-37). Jesus and His disciples went along their way, until He entered the village of Bethany and visited Martha’s house (v. 38).

Can you imagine having Jesus over for dinner? No doubt you would prepare by cleaning the house, gathering the best foods to serve Him, and making your home as inviting as possible. I’m sure Martha did that, and her sister Mary also, but when Jesus arrived, Martha continued attending to the meal rather than to the Master. Mary chose wisely (v. 42) to spend these precious moments as close to Jesus as she could, sitting at His feet and hearing His Word (v. 39).

In contrast, Martha showed her love for Jesus by taking care of every detail of His visit. Yet her service kept her too busy to appreciate His company, resulting in her accusing Jesus of not caring that she was doing all the work, and demanding that He ask Mary to help her (v. 40).

It makes me wonder how many times, in the name of Christian service, that we lose sight of our love for Christ and one another, complain about how much we are working without recognition, and make demands of those whom we are trying to serve.

Instead of receiving from Jesus a pat on the back, kind word of appreciation, and help enlisted from Mary, Martha must have been shocked to hear Jesus say she was “cumbered,” or preoccupied with her service; “careful,” or anxious that the work would not be completed; and “troubled” about many things (v. 40-41).

No doubt she was hurt, yet Jesus also must have been grieved that Martha focused more on her service than on her Savior, that she was anxious even in the presence of perfect Love Who casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), and troubled even though He urged His followers not to let our hearts be troubled (John 14:1, 27).

Although I wonder how Martha could fail in this way even when in the direct presence of Jesus Christ Himself, I know I am often guilty of her sins. All of us who have been saved by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) through our faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) have His Holy Spirit always with us (John 14:16). And yet there are times when doing, serving, and complaining suit us better than just being God’s children, receiving His love, and listening to His Word.

Like Martha, we may feel that the more we do to serve God without being rewarded, the more we are justified in complaining and even accusing Him of not loving us. May we be more like Mary, who recognized that He is all we need (Philippians 4:19), chose to bask in His presence, and was secure that nothing could separate her from Christ’s love (Luke 10: 42; Romans 8:35-39).

Both women loved Jesus dearly and believed He was the Son of God, and Jesus loved them (John 11:1-27). But Martha got caught up in the distraction of religious service, the pride of self-righteousness, and lashing out at our Lord with demanding anger rather than the submissive, tender, self-sacrificing love He so richly deserves.

As we see earlier in Luke, Mary epitomized that kind of love, as she sacrificed her pride, offered her body as a living sacrifice, and gave her earthly treasure to worship Jesus as she anointed Him with precious ointment Luke 7: 37-50). At the dinner in Martha’s house, listening to Jesus was precious to Mary, and she savored every loving smile and tender word He gave her, which could never be taken from her (Luke 10: 39,42).

Mary’s behavior illustrates that God created us for intimate fellowship with Him, for the “good pleasure” of His will, a phrase that the apostle Paul uses three times (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 1:5,9). Believers today no longer have the blessing of literally sitting at Jesus’ feet, but we can still learn from Him through His Word (Psalm 119); listen for His still, small voice as we pray (1 Kings 19:12); and submit to His perfect will for our lives (Luke 22:42).

As Oswald Chambers said:

You have no idea of where or how God is going to engineer your future circumstances, and no knowledge of what stress and strain is going to be placed on you either at home or abroad. And if you waste your time in overactivity, instead of being immersed in the great fundamental truths of God’s redemption, then you will snap when the stress and strain do come. But if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in Him, which may appear to be impractical, then you will remain true to Him whatever happens.

Jesus Himself found time apart from the crowds, His ministry, and His disciples to be alone with His Father (Luke 5:16; Matthew 26:36); to wait for God to speak (Luke 3:22); and to submit to the Father’s perfect will (Luke 22:42). Like Mary of Bethany, may we learn to be still (Psalm 46:10), and know that He is God!

© 2015 Laurie Collett